Garlic

Question
We have put garlic cloves in our garden to keep out squirrels, but we have noticed brown birds coming up and picking up the garlic cloves and rubbing them on their bodies and feathers.    What kind of bird is this and why are they doing that?????   They kind of look like cowbirds, but we don't know for sure.   We live in northwestern upstate new york, if that helps.

Answer
The only thing I have found about garlic is that is helps against parasites.

In case of cowbirds it could be a way to mask there own smell, but I think that other birds will notice the garlic smell and think that something is wrong.

Can not tell you what kind of birds it is or which kind of bird would fit this kind of behavior.

I know that some birds are know for putting things under there wings. Ants and other materials.

On this area birds keep surprising people. It would be a local behavior of a family of birds. A new thing.

I would more think of crows or other smart birds that keep inventing and try out new things.